By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
The Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has restated its commitment to enforcing standards and ensuring that all health facilities in the state deliver safe, professional, and high-quality healthcare to residents.
This assurance was given during a sensitisation campaign and town hall meeting held in Apapa Local Government Area.
The forum organised in collaboration with the World Bank and the IMPACT (Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services) Project, forms part of HEFAMAA’s ongoing drive to strengthen regulatory compliance and deepen public awareness of healthcare rights and responsibilities.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. (Mrs.) Abiola Idowu, represented by the Director of Monitoring and Inspection, Dr. Daniel Olayinka, reiterated that the Agency’s mandate is to uphold standards across public and private health facilities. She stressed that residents of Lagos deserve healthcare that is not only accessible but also safe, ethical, and reliable.
Dr. Idowu noted that since its establishment under the 2006 Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law, HEFAMAA has consistently monitored, regulated, and accredited health facilities statewide.
The Agency, she said, is committed not only to enforcement but also to guiding healthcare operators in maintaining professional and ethical standards.
Highlighting recent reforms, she explained that HEFAMAA’s previously manual registration and accreditation processes have now transitioned to a fully digital platform, improving transparency, reducing processing time, and strengthening compliance monitoring.
“Our goal is not to shut down facilities unnecessarily,” she clarified. “We aim to support them in meeting required standards so that every Lagosian receives the quality care they deserve. This is why our officers conduct both scheduled and unscheduled inspections to enforce continuous adherence to regulations.”
Chief Nutrition Officer at HEFAMAA, Mr. Richard Olusanya, underscored the importance of proper registration, accreditation, documentation, and environmental assessments as tools to eliminate quackery and ensure accountability in the health sector.
He also introduced the Agency’s Quick Response (QR) Code system, which enables residents to verify the accreditation status of any registered health facility and provide feedback on the services received.
Olusanya warned healthcare providers against operating beyond the scope of accreditation granted to their facilities, noting that such violations could amount to professional misconduct or quackery.
In her closing remarks, Deputy Director of Health Education, Mrs. Oladunni Omonike, urged residents to remain vigilant and report unregistered or suspicious health practices. She encouraged the public to “say something when you see something,” highlighting the role of community participation in strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
Participants at the town hall meeting praised HEFAMAA for its proactive engagement, describing the session as enlightening and essential in promoting transparency, safety, and improved healthcare delivery across Lagos State.
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